§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service how long it has taken his Department to negotiate with the interests concerned with regard to the supply and use of toilet paper in the Civil Service Departments; what would have been the actual or estimated increased costs to the Exchequer for the use of twin-ply soft tissues; and whether he will publish in the Official Report the correspondence on acceptance he issued to the Council of the Civil Service Union's welfare committee on this subject.
§ Mr. ChannonI am told that this matter has been under discussion for some years, but agreement was reached recently. I have had no correspondence on this topic with anyone. Twin-ply soft tissues would have cost between £350,000 and £600,000 extra per annum.